PARIS (AP) — In a competition marked by difficulties and obstacles, this Wednesday the tests of the women’s and men’s triathlon were finally completed, with the main challenge being to swim in the controversial waters of the River Seine.
PUBLICIDAD
The men's race was scheduled for Tuesday, but it was postponed due to high levels of E. coli fecal bacteria in the water. Organizers assured early Wednesday that the most recent analysis showed that quality standards were met.
PUBLICIDAD
The Organizing Committee had given the green light to the waters of the Seine last week, even the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo dared to swim in the river, but the heavy rains over the weekend made it dirty again and forced the postponement of the training sessions and the men's competition.
The cleaning of the Seine is part of an ambitious plan by the authorities of Paris, which included a $1.5 billion infrastructure improvement project to clean up the polluted river.
The joy of President Macron and the organizers for the triathlon.
The decision to go ahead with the swimming section in triathlon events is a victory for the city, the organizers, and the athletes. That's why they couldn't contain their enthusiasm after the gamble of holding an Olympic competition in a toxic river turned out relatively well.
"It's magical," said the director of the organizing committee of the Games, Tony Estanguet, to French television. "It is an important legacy for Parisians to be able to swim in the Seine from next year."
The infrastructure projects for wastewater treatment aim to allow the city's residents to enjoy the river after a century of being forbidden to swim in it. The plans aim to open public pools in its waters starting in 2025.
"Here we are!", declared the French President Emmanuel Macron in X. "Thanks to a massive investment... we have achieved in four years what was impossible for 100 years: you can swim in the Seine."
The swimming marathon trials, scheduled to take place on August 8 and 9 in the River Seine, are also being considered to be moved to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, located on the outskirts of Paris, which hosts rowing and canoeing events.
Falls on the cycling stretch due to slippery pavement
The triathletes began the 1,500-meter swim near the Pont Alexandre III, which crosses the river. The dirtiness of the Seine was not the only obstacle for the competitors, as they also had to navigate slippery pavement due to the morning rain that caused several falls during the cycling segment.
The French athlete Cassandre Beaugrand won the women’s triathlon. When she completed the course on the Pont Alexandre III, she collapsed from exhaustion and excitement. She did so right above the “Paris 2024″ logo, receiving applause from the local crowd. She recorded a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes, and 55 seconds.
In the men's competition, which started less than an hour after the women's race, British Alex Yee finished six seconds ahead of New Zealander Hayden Wilde to claim the gold.